CMI Defence Training and Simulation Systems

CMI Defence has the expertise to provide its customers with highly developed simulation systems, applicable to the full range of weapon systems. The Simulators provide customized training solutions throughout the spectrum of military requirements, encompassing basic drill practice, operational and tactical levels. These networkable systems cost-effectively deliver the full spectrum of military training for vehicle crews, sections and platoons. These scalable systems allow endless possibilities of scenarios and environments, enabling continuous training of the crew.

At Eurosatory 2012, CMI Defence unveiled a new turret simulator for its 90mm Weapon System that is applicable to a wide variety of wheeled and tracked vehicles. The company worked with SILKAN, a modelling and simulation firm specialising in developing integrated simulation solutions for defence and security. During Eurosatory 2014, CMI Defence demonstrated the networking of its different systems in order to simultaneously train multiple crews within the same virtual environment. CMI Defence participated in Eurosatory 2014 (Paris, France) in a further demonstration of Vulcain. This initiative of the French army was for networking different simulation, communication and command systems to enable real-time training on various weaponry (infantry, cavalry, Land Army Light Aviation—i.e., ALAT…) during a common tactical mission. The challenge was to simultaneously connect as many armored vehicles among them as possible so that the forces train on tactical scenarios with a realistic volume of strength.

Based on the intensive use of COTS solutions, CMI Defence’s training and simulation systems are high-performance tools that offer diverse interactive scenarios and advanced post-action review and analysis. CMI Defence’s philosophies have been realised in a family of flexible tools that are readily adaptable to meet the individual needs of real-world Users. Recent developments have removed historical boundary limitations and the respective simulation systems can now be fully integrated. This combination removes training area restrictions and enables the deployment of mobile simulation-based training systems.

CMI Defence’s turrets and weapon systems use a common basic electronic and computing system, with which CMI Defence’s simulation systems are easily networked. The advantages of this ability to connect and disconnect CMI Defence’s various combat systems with a virtual training environment are clearly demonstrated at Eurosatory 2014, where CMI Defence were showing two of its training and simulation products applied to the Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret hardware. A Turret Embedded System is networked to an external PC-based simulation system. This use of operational hardware within the simulation system gives very high realism for the turret crew, increases the adaptability of the training system, and increases the scope of training objectives. This is further demonstrated at Eurosatory 2014 on the Vulcain stand, where CMI Defence has connected an ‘Embedded’ Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret to an extensive third-party simulation network. Up to five (5) other simulators are connected to the Cockerill LCTS 90MP Embedded Simulator system to enable multi-arms training (including infantry & helicopter support within the same scenario).

System variants

The PC-based Simulator is a classroom simulation system composed of video wall stations representing the realistic environment of the crew. This configuration may be installed in a mobile space (innovative truck) to give a better access to the trainees.

The Embedded Simulator offers a more immersive experience using a real operating turret as the simulation booth. When connected with the simulation system, the turret’s commands and interfaces are automatically simulated, and inversely, when unplugged, the turret is back to its fully operational state. The networking of embedded turret hardware within a scalable, flexible and highly effective computer simulation system permits CMI Defence to significantly increase the cost-effectiveness of training and the operational effectiveness the armed forces.